Living with Purpose or Just Taking Life as It Comes?

“Just take life as it comes.” How many times have you heard that advice? It’s a popular saying, often meant to keep us relaxed and open to whatever happens. But what does it really mean? At its heart, it’s about going with the flow and handling things as they come, instead of getting bogged down by every little detail. It’s like saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff; just deal with whatever life throws at you.”

While this can be great for staying calm amidst life’s chaos, it can also be misleading. It might suggest that faith has no place when we're facing tough times, but that’s not the case. Simply going with the flow can sometimes be an excuse for avoiding action and choosing not to be energized by the strength, truth, and power of God’s Word. As James 2:17 (NLT) puts it, “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless." This reminds us of the potency of faith in God. It should drive us not just to talk about it, but to be about it by actively pursuing our purpose in God’s Will and Plan.

It’s easy to fall into a passive routine and continue doing the same things we’ve always done. However, when we read uplifting verses in God’s Word, they should inspire us to strive for a more victorious life in Christ and to encourage others to live for him. In Isaiah 43:19 (NLT), God said, “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” This verse reminds us that God is always at work. His Kingdom isn’t static. It’s alive with continual vibrant and dynamic activity. Revelation 4:4-6 (NLT) offers us a glimpse: “4 Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. 6 In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.”

This is the way God lives, and He calls us to reflect His nature, living in a way that keeps the doors of blessings and opportunities continually open to us. He doesn’t take it as it comes, merely reacting to circumstances. He has a masterful and perfect plan for the entire universe. Psalm 33:11 (NLT) says, “But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.” Our Heavenly Father also declares in Isaiah 46:10 (NLT), “Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” And Ephesians 1:11 (NLT) adds, “Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.” Every breath we take contributes to His divine vision and fulfills the promises He made thousands of years ago.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” Anyone who embraces the Lord Jesus Christ undergoes a profound transformation. Our past, with all those old ways and behaviors that kept us moving at a snail’s pace are left behind. With salvation, a new life begins and brings a new identity in Christ. This transformation is not just a change in behavior, but our spirits have been reborn, enabling us to live out our faith with conviction and tenacity as we focus on God’s purpose.

Our Heavenly Father never acts haphazardly. He’s an on-purpose God, and we are His on-purpose children. As 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, we walk by faith, not by sight, with every step backed by the promises of His Word. When the enemy hurls darts our way, we don’t take it sitting down. We tighten up the armor God has given us so that we can do as Ephesians 6:11 (NLT) says and “stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” We’re not taking life as it comes but always moving towards the target of living abundantly. So, let’s be intentional about claiming God’s promises, fighting the good fight of faith with the strength of Christ’s victory, and fully embracing the purpose for which God has called us. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Living with Purpose or Just Taking Life as It Comes?”,  written for Springfield Fellowship © 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.